Keyboard instrument player system with time division multiplexing techniques and synchronized rhythm device

ABSTRACT

A player type electrically operated musical instrument includes a rhythm device for producing timed repetitive rhythm patterns of unpitched or semi-pitched percussive sounds. Information as to the playing of the keys of the instrument is encoded in digital form on one track of a magnetic tape using time division multiplexing techniques. The sounds produced by the rhythm device are simultaneously recorded on a second &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;audio&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; channel on the same magnetic tape. On &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;playback&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;, the digital channel is decoded and used to &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;play&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; the same or a similar musical instrument, and the audio channel is reproduced to provide a rhythm accompaniment synchronized to the performance of the instrument. Information encoded on the digital track automatically disconnects the rhythm instrument during playback and connects the audio channel of the tape player to the reproducing system.

United States Patent n91 Peterson et a1.

[451 Aug. 13, 1974 KEYBOARD INSTRUMENT PLAYER SYSTEM WITH TIME DIVISIONMULTIPLEXING TECHNIQUES AND SYNCHRONIZED RHYTHM DEVICE [76] Inventors:Richard H. Peterson, 11748 Walnut Ridge Drive 60464; Robert A. Finch,12219 South 89th Avenue, both of Palos Park, Ill.

[51] Int. Cl. GlOh 1/00 [58] Field of Search 84/1.02, 1.03, 1.28, DIG.29,

84/l.01, 461, 462, DIG. 12

3,697,661 10/1972 Dcutsch 84/101 3,781,452 12/1973 3,789,719 2/1974Maillct 84/103 X Primary ExaminerRichard B. Wilkinson AssistantEraminer-Stanley J. Witkowski Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Jones andLockwood 5 7 ABSTRACT A player type electrically operated musicalinstrument includes a rhythm device for producing timed repetitiverhythm patterns of unpitched or semi-pitched percussive sounds.Information as to the playing of the keys of the instrument is encodedin digital form on one track of a magnetic tape using time divisionmultiplexing techniques. The sounds produced by the rhythm device aresimultaneously recorded on a second audio channel on the same magnetictape. On

[56] Referenc Cited playback, the digital channel is decoded and used toUNITED STATES PATENTS play the same or a similar musical instrument, and

the audio channel is reproduced to provide a rhythm 2,533,461 12/1950lllsley 84/1.28 3 250 847 5/l960 Chamberlain 84H 28 accompanimentsynchronized to the performance of 3 272 907 9/1966 Chamberlainiiiiiii11:11:: 84/1I28 the instrument Information encoded the digital 3:546:35412/1970 uchiyama h I i 0 34/102 track automatically disconnects therhythm instrument 3,562,398 2/1971 Bnj2lm1rl....' 1 84/1.03 during p ayack and connects the audio channel of 3,604,299 9/1971 Englund 84/1.03the tape player to the reproducing system. 3,610,799 /1971 Watson84/1.01 3,647,929 3/1972 Milde, .lr 84/1.01 11 C aims, 2 Drawing Figures3,683,096 8/1972 Peterson et a1. 84/1.03 X

I08 ,-l|5 AUTOMATIC AUDIO MAGNETIC RHYTHM 3| TAPE TRACK DE DIGITALMAGNETIC I22 I TAPE TRACK ORGAN 010mm. KEYSWITCHES '4' I19 I18LOUDSPEAKER DIGITAL 2 KEYING DECODER AND SWITCHES ittl 125, ORGAN TONEGENERATING SYSTEM LOUDSPEAKER PATENTEU 31974 3.829.597

H5 H9 I08 H8 '05 H3 H H6 H2 IoI Io2 w IOO"\ -I52 Figure 1 [I08 I ,II5AuToMATIc AuDIo MAGNETIc RHYTHM m TAPE TRACK DEVICE DIGITAL MAGNETICTAPE TRAcI l22 I ORGAN DIGITAL KEYSWITCHES KEYING ENCODER H9 H8 DIGITALKEYING DECODER l AND SWITCHES 5 '26 I27 T ORGAN ToNE GENERATINGAMPLIFIER LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM Figure 2 l KEYBOARD INSTRUMENT PLAYERSYSTEM WITH TIME DIVISION MULTIPLEXING TECHNIQUES AND SYNCHRONIZEDRHYTHM DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relatesgenerally to the subject matter disclosed in prior U.S. Pat. No.3,683,096 dated Aug. 8, 1972, and titled Electronic Player System forElectrically Operated Musical Instrument. More specifically, the presentinvention is directed to the problem of maintaining synchronism betweenthe playing of a musical instrument by an automatic player device andthe sounds produced by an automatic rhythm device, which may have beenused during the original performance, to produce patterns of unpitchedor semi-pitched musical sounds. Such rhythm devices are well known andare disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,105,106; 3,146,290;3,247,307; 3,255,292 (Re, 26,521 3,358,068; 3,383,542; and 3,478,633.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Our prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,096 discloses aPlayer System for Electrically Operated Musical Instruments. In thesystem disclosed, information representing the manipulation of theplaying keys of a musical instrument, such as an organ, is converted toelectrical signals and recorded digitally on magnetic tape using aconventional cassette recorder. A system known as time divisionmultiplexing is used to encode the keying" information on the magnetictape. n playback the recorded signal is decoded" and used to operate aseries of semiconductor switches" to play a similar or the same musicalinstrument.

Many keyboard instruments now include an automatic rhythm playingdevice, one type of which is sold commercially under the nameSelect-A-Rhythm, and marketed by Gulbransen Industries of Chicago,Illinois. The incorporation of such a rhythm device complicates theoperation of the player instrument in that it is not economicallypractical to use the digital system to operate the automatic rhythminstrument. In the present invention two types of magnetic recording, ontwo separate tracks, are utilitized. One track is used for encoding,digitally, information for keying the instrument, and for controllingthe second audio track, upon which the sounds of the automatic rhythminstrument are linearly" recorded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of anelectronic organ with a rhythm device.

FIG. 2 is a combination block, schematic drawing of a playersystem'according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT combination of desired rhythmpatterns such as, ballad, rock, tango, waltz, and so on. The tempocontrol 112 adjusts the tempo of the rhythm pattern, and the start stopcontrol 1 13 starts and stops the production of the rhythm sounds. Inordinary use, the performer, having preset the tempo control to asuitable tempo for the music to be played, turns on the rhythm unit bypushing the on button 113, and then proceeds to play the keys and pedalsof the instrument in time with the automatically produced rhythmpattern. With some rhythm devices the tempo can be controlled to aconsiderable degree by an automatic mechanism which senses the rate ofpedal key depression and adjusts the tempo automatically. For example ifhe wants to speed-up his rhythm he may do so by gradually speeding uphis playing, and the rhythm device will automatically sense the speed-upand speed-up the tempo accordingly. 115 is a magnetic tape recorderhaving at least two separate magnetic tracks. The controls 116 areconventional and serve to turn the tape recording device on and off andto perform the usual rewind and fast forward functions.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the automatic rhythm device 108 is connected tothe audio input terminal 120 of the tape recorder 115. Whenever one ofthe buttons 110 of FIG. 1 is depressed, an automatic rhythm pattern isproduced by the automatic rhythm device 108 and the audio signalsproduced by the rhythm device will be applied to the input of amplifier132 by way of relay contacts 133 and 134, and will be heard through theloudspeaker 152. In addition, the signals from the rhythm device 108 areconnected to the input terminal 120 of the tape recorder 115, and willbe recorded in linear form on the audio track, providing the the record"button 118 is depressed.

' Conventional organ keyswitches 122 are understood to be physicallyconnected to be operated by the keys .101, 102, and the pedals 103(FIG. 1) and are connected to a conventional organ tone generatingsystem 125. The particular tone generating system employed is not a partof the present invention, it being understood that any of the many knownsystems would be appropriate. The output of the tone generating systemis connected to the amplifier 126, and. thence to loudspeaker 127, whichreproduces the sound of the organ portion of the instrument. Alsoconnected to the organ keyswitches is the digital keying encoder whichis preferably of the type shown in FIG. 1 of our prior U.S. Pat. No.3,683,096, previously referred to. The output of the digital keyingencoder is connected to the input terminal 131 of the digital track ofthe magnetic recorder 115, and again assuming the record button 118 isdepressed, information as to the instantaneous open or closed conditionof the organ keyswitches will be recorded in the form of digital data onthe digital magnetic tape track. Also connected to the digital keyingencoder 130 is the rhythm on/off switch 114 which is also connected tothe source of potential 128. The rhythm on/off switch 144 is physicallyattached to and is operated by, the on/off knob 113 in FIG. 1. Wheneverswitch 113 is closed and the rhythm device is operating this informationis digitally encoded on the digital track.

To recreate the complete musical performance, the magnetic tape isrewound, and the play button 119 (FIG. 1) is depressed, which puts themagnetic tape recorder in its playback mode. Under these conditions,

3 the output of the digital magnetic track will appear at terminal 140and will be connected to the input of the digital keying decoderterminal 141. The decoder also includes a series of semiconductorswitches which are operated by the decoder. The operation of this decodesystem is explained in connection with FIG. 7 of the prior US. Pat. No.3,683,096 previously referred to. The electronic switches which are apart of the decoder are connected in parallel with the organ keyswitchesby means of cable 144. In this manner The original organ performance isduplicated and once again the sound of the original performance is heardthrough loudspeaker 127.

In addition, because the condition (open or closed) of switch 113 wasdigitally encoded an output voltage will now appear at decoder outputterminal 145 for such periods of time during the original performancewhen switch 113 was closed. Whenever such a voltage is present, relay147 is energized, thus pulling switchblade 134 away from contact 133 andinto contact with terminal 149 as indicated in FIG. 2 by the dotted lineposition of the contact 134. Terminal 149 is connected to the output ofthe audio track of the magnetic tape recorder, and thus the audiosignals that were recorded during the original performance will beconnected to the amplifier 132 and will be reproduced by loudspeaker152. Thus the complete performance, including rhythm and organ, will bereproduced, and with the original rhythm accompaniment heard in perfectsynchronism with the player performance of the organ.

waltz rhythm would be appropriate and it would be very undesirable ifthe automatic rhythm device was to produce a tango or a bossa novaaccompaniment during playback while the organ was recreating a waltzmelody. This problem is solved by the apparatus of the invention.because if a rhythm effect was used during encoding of the organperformance, upon playback the automatic rhythm device is automaticallylocked out and only the recorded rhythm sound is heard.

Others may readily adapt the invention to various uses by employing oneor more of the novel elements disclosed. As at present advised, wedesire to claim the following subject matter:

We claim:

1. A keyboard instrument player system for recording and laterrecreating a musical performance, comprising: y

an electrically operated musical instrument having a plurality ofplaying key-operated keyswitches;

an electrically operated tone generating system connected to andresponsive to said keyswitches to produce pitched musical tones; arhythm device for producing selected rhythm sound patterns; a

a tape recorder having first and second magnetic tracks, and means foroperating said recorder in a record mode;

a time division multiplex encoder connected to said keyswitches toencode information as to the on or off condition of said keyswitches;

means feeding said encoded information to said tape recorder to recordsaid information in digital'form v on said first magnetic track whensaid tape recorder is in its record mode; and

means feeding said rhythm sound patterns to said tape recorder to recordsaid patterns on said second magnetic track when said tape recorder isin its record mode.

2. The player system of claim 1, further including:

means providing a playback mode for said tape recorder;

a keying decoder having a plurality of electrical switches correspondingto said keyswitches; means connecting said keying decoder between theoutput of said first track of said tape recorder and said tonegenerating system during said playback mode, said keying decoderreceiving said information in digital form and operating said electricalswitches in accordance therewith, said tone generating system respondingto said electrical switches to produce pitched musical tones; and

means for reproducing said rhythm sound patterns recorded on said secondtrack of said tape recorder during said playback mode.

3. The player system of claim 2, further including an amplifier and aloudspeaker connected to the output thereof and means connecting saidrhythm device to the input of said amplifier to produce sound patterns;said means for reproducing said recorder rhythm sound patterns includingmeans for selectively disconnecting said rhythm device from saidamplifier input and connecting the output of said second track of saidtape recorder to the input of said amplifier.

4. The player system of claim 3, including further means connected tosaid encoder to encode information as to the on or off condition of saidrhythm device, said last-named encoded information being recorded indigital form on said first track.

5. The player system of claim 4, wherein said means for selectivelydisconnecting said rhythm device comprises switching means responsive tosaid keying decoder.

6. In a keyboard instrument player system for recording and laterrecreating a musical performance, an

musical performance while said recorder is in said record mode; decodermeans connected between said tape recorder and said tone generator, saidtone generator responding to said digital information during saidplayback mode to recreate said musical performance,

the improvement comprising:

a second magnetic track for said tape recorder;

means for recording in linear form on said second track said selectedrhythm patterns, said patterns being recorded simultaneously with saiddigital information during said musical performance; and

means for reproducing, during said playback mode,

said recorded rhythm patterns simultaneously with the recreation. ofsaid musical performance,

whereby said rhythm sound patterns are synchronized with said recreatedmusical performance.

7. The player system of claim 6, further including output meansconnected to said rhythm device for producing rhythm sound patterns;said means for reproducing said recorded rhythm patterns includingswitch means disconnecting said rhythm device from said output means andconnecting the output of said second magnetic track to said outputmeans, whereby said recorded rhythm patterns are reproduced as rhythmsound patterns.

8. The player system of claim 7, wherein said switch means comprisesrelay means operable in the playback mode of said recorder.

9. The player system of claim 7, wherein said means for recordingdigital information as to the condition of said keyswitches furtherincludes means for recording digital information as to the operation ornonoperation of said rhythm device, and wherein said switch means isresponsive during said playback mode to recorded digital information asto the operation of said rhythm device.

10. A keyboard instrument player system for recording and laterrecreating a musical performance comprising:

an electrically operated musical instrument including playingkey-operated keyswitches;

an electrically operated tone generating system, said keyswitches beingconnected to said tone generating system to produce pitched musicaltones;

a rhythm device for producing selected rhythm patterns of unpitched orsemi-pitched musical sounds;

a tape recorder having first and second magnetic tracks;

means operating said tape recorder in either a record or a playbackmode;

a time division multiplex keying encoder having its input connected tosaid keyswitches for encoding information as to the on or off conditionof said keyswitches and having its output connected to said taperecorder when said recorder is in the record mode to record saidinformation in digital form on said first magnetic track of said taperecorder;

means for simultaneously recording rhythm sounds from said rhythm deviceon said second magnetic track of said tape recorder;

a keying decoder connected during said playback mode to the output ofsaid first magnetic track of said tape recorder;

21 series of switches operated by said decoder and connected in parallelwith said keyswitches to operate said tone generating system;

an amplifier and a loudspeaker connected to the output of said rhythmdevice; and

means for disconnecting said rhythm device from said amplifier andloudspeaker and for connecting the output of said second magnetic trackto the input of said amplifier.

11. The instrument described in claim 10 wherein said means fordisabling said rhythm device and for connecting the output of saidsecond track to the input of said amplifier comprises means controlledby digital information encoded by the encoder and decoded by thedecoder.

1. A keyboard instrument player system for recording and laterrecreating a musical performance, comprising: an electrically operatedmusical instrument having a plurality of playing key-operatedkeyswitches; an electrically operated tone generating system connectedto and responsive to said keyswitches to produce pitched musical tones;a rhythm device for producing selected rhythm sound patterns; a taperecorder having first and second magnetic tracks, and means foroperating said recorder in a record mode; a time division multiplexencoder connected to said keyswitches to encode information as to the onor off condition of said keyswitches; means feeding said encodedinformation to said tape recorder to record said information in digitalform on said first magnetic track when said tape recorder is in itsrecord mode; and means feeding said rhythm sound patterns to said taperecorder to record said patterns on said second magnetic track when saidtape recorder is in its record mode.
 2. The player system of cLaim 1,further including: means providing a playback mode for said taperecorder; a keying decoder having a plurality of electrical switchescorresponding to said keyswitches; means connecting said keying decoderbetween the output of said first track of said tape recorder and saidtone generating system during said playback mode, said keying decoderreceiving said information in digital form and operating said electricalswitches in accordance therewith, said tone generating system respondingto said electrical switches to produce pitched musical tones; and meansfor reproducing said rhythm sound patterns recorded on said second trackof said tape recorder during said playback mode.
 3. The player system ofclaim 2, further including an amplifier and a loudspeaker connected tothe output thereof and means connecting said rhythm device to the inputof said amplifier to produce sound patterns; said means for reproducingsaid recorder rhythm sound patterns including means for selectivelydisconnecting said rhythm device from said amplifier input andconnecting the output of said second track of said tape recorder to theinput of said amplifier.
 4. The player system of claim 3, includingfurther means connected to said encoder to encode information as to theon or off condition of said rhythm device, said last-named encodedinformation being recorded in digital form on said first track.
 5. Theplayer system of claim 4, wherein said means for selectivelydisconnecting said rhythm device comprises switching means responsive tosaid keying decoder.
 6. In a keyboard instrument player system forrecording and later recreating a musical performance, an electricallyoperated musical instrument including playing key-operated keyswitches;an electrically operated tone generating system responsive to saidkeyswitches to produce selected pitched musical tones; a rhythm devicefor producing, independently of said tone generating system, selectedrhythm patterns; a tape recorder having a first magnetic track; meansfor operating said recorder in a record or playback mode; means forrecording on said first track digital information as to the condition ofsaid keyswitches during a musical performance while said recorder is insaid record mode; decoder means connected between said tape recorder andsaid tone generator, said tone generator responding to said digitalinformation during said playback mode to recreate said musicalperformance, the improvement comprising: a second magnetic track forsaid tape recorder; means for recording in linear form on said secondtrack said selected rhythm patterns, said patterns being recordedsimultaneously with said digital information during said musicalperformance; and means for reproducing, during said playback mode, saidrecorded rhythm patterns simultaneously with the recreation of saidmusical performance, whereby said rhythm sound patterns are synchronizedwith said recreated musical performance.
 7. The player system of claim6, further including output means connected to said rhythm device forproducing rhythm sound patterns; said means for reproducing saidrecorded rhythm patterns including switch means disconnecting saidrhythm device from said output means and connecting the output of saidsecond magnetic track to said output means, whereby said recorded rhythmpatterns are reproduced as rhythm sound patterns.
 8. The player systemof claim 7, wherein said switch means comprises relay means operable inthe playback mode of said recorder.
 9. The player system of claim 7,wherein said means for recording digital information as to the conditionof said keyswitches further includes means for recording digitalinformation as to the operation or nonoperation of said rhythm device,and wherein said switch means is responsive during said playback mode torecorded digital information as to the operation of said rhythm device.10. A keyboard instrument player system for recording and laterrEcreating a musical performance comprising: an electrically operatedmusical instrument including playing key-operated keyswitches; anelectrically operated tone generating system, said keyswitches beingconnected to said tone generating system to produce pitched musicaltones; a rhythm device for producing selected rhythm patterns ofunpitched or semi-pitched musical sounds; a tape recorder having firstand second magnetic tracks; means operating said tape recorder in eithera record or a playback mode; a time division multiplex keying encoderhaving its input connected to said keyswitches for encoding informationas to the on or off condition of said keyswitches and having its outputconnected to said tape recorder when said recorder is in the record modeto record said information in digital form on said first magnetic trackof said tape recorder; means for simultaneously recording rhythm soundsfrom said rhythm device on said second magnetic track of said taperecorder; a keying decoder connected during said playback mode to theoutput of said first magnetic track of said tape recorder; a series ofswitches operated by said decoder and connected in parallel with saidkeyswitches to operate said tone generating system; an amplifier and aloudspeaker connected to the output of said rhythm device; and means fordisconnecting said rhythm device from said amplifier and loudspeaker andfor connecting the output of said second magnetic track to the input ofsaid amplifier.
 11. The instrument described in claim 10 wherein saidmeans for disabling said rhythm device and for connecting the output ofsaid second track to the input of said amplifier comprises meanscontrolled by digital information encoded by the encoder and decoded bythe decoder.